Oman
Joins World in Celebrating International Day for Cultural Diversity Tomorrow

Muscat,
20 May (ONA) — The Sultanate of Oman will join nations worldwide tomorrow in
celebrating the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development,
observed annually on 21 May. The occasion aims to highlight the richness of
global cultures and emphasize the vital role of intercultural dialogue in
fostering peace and sustainable development.

Marking
the event, the Oman National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, in
collaboration with the working team of the International Fund for Cultural
Diversity (IFCD) in Oman and the Arab League Educational, Cultural, and
Scientific Organization (ALECSO), will organize a workshop on May 27-28. The
session will focus on mechanisms for preparing cultural projects to secure
support from the IFCD.

Cultural
diversity, as defined by the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion
of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions (2005), refers to “the manifold
ways in which the cultures of groups and societies find expression, passed on
within and among groups and communities.” Oman joined the convention in
2007, which seeks to promote diverse forms of cultural expression, create
conditions for cultures to flourish and interact, encourage intercultural
dialogue, strengthen cultural exchange among peoples, and foster respect for
cultural diversity at local and global levels.

In
this context, Oman formed a working team for the IFCD, comprising members from
various cultural institutions. The team is tasked with identifying and
analyzing cultural diversity initiatives, establishing a unified framework for
related projects and programs, reviewing and approving proposals for IFCD
funding, and preparing reports on the implementation of the UNESCO convention.

This
year’s celebration coincides with UNESCO’s commemoration of the 20th
anniversary of the convention’s adoption in 2005. The event seeks to raise
awareness of the convention’s key achievements and engage policymakers in
addressing challenges and opportunities to safeguard and promote cultural
diversity.

—Ends/AG